Cabineted phonograph



July 2l, 1925. 1,546,931

F. c. HINCKLEY CABINETED PHONOGRAPH Filed April 8. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4 fly j a v ff l f7 l.;

72 vg.. Y

ATTORNEY July 2l, 1925. 1,546,931

' F. c. HINCKLEY GABINETED PHONOGRAPH Filed April 8, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zigi Z i ATTORNEY m mai/71E? July'zl, 1925.

, F. C. HINCKLEY CAB I NETED PHONOGRAPH Filed April 8. 1922 I5 vSheets--SheeiI 5 gli? l lI @l BY 1% ATTORNEY vPatented .uly 21, 1925.

UNITED sTA'rES -PATENT orales.

FRANK C. HINCKLEY, OF ySRA'LLIFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO COLUMBIA PRONO-GRAPH COMPANY, INC., A vC0R1?ORA'JIOLT 0F NEW YORK.

CAINETED PHONOGRAIPH.

Application medapru s,

To all 'whom it may concer/n.:`

I'e it l-inown that I, FRANK C. HINCKLEY, a citizen of the United States,'and a resident of Stratford, county of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cabineted Phonographs, of which the following, taken ,in connection with the `accompanying drawings, is a specification.

rI his invention relates to improvements in phonographic machines, and particularly such a machine ofthe cabineted type. @ne of the principal objects is toy provide a phonographic machine of suchcompact nature as to be very conveniently portable, and which `will, at the same time, be highly efficient' as regards its sound-reproducing characteristics. Vhile the machine, according to the present invention, is inte-nded for general use, as in the home, classroom or oiiice, it is especially desirable for use out-of-doors, or for carrying upon trips, and to this end is so designed that it may be conveniently carried upon the runningboard or placed in the luggage compartment of an automobile Without danger of damaging the mechanism of the machine through jars or jolts encountered. It is, furthermore, moistureY and dust proof, so that, when closed, it will effectively withstand the elements. The machine is designed to resemble an ordinary suit-case in appearance 4and size, with a smooth, unbroken, outer surface, Without unseemly or conspicuous projections or projecting apparatus of any kind extending through any portion of it; and it can be carried With the same facility as a suitcase.

An important obj `ct of the invention is to provide an amplifier of rimproved design, disposed in the hinged lid orcover of. the ,'cabinet, opening wholly Within the cabinet, and combining with the lid and tone-arm supported thereby to produce a cooperative sound-reproducing' mechanism, which is only operative when the lid or cover is in raised position, and which, in such position of the lid, will produce, amplify and direct the sound so as'to obtain faithful, full and clear reproduction.

A further object is to provide sound-con- 1922. Serial' No. 550,776.

trolling means for the purpose 'of controlling the direction or volume of the sound, such means being capable of adjustment during the playing of a record, and being positioned entirely Within the cabinet.

It is also an object to so direct the sound emitted from the horn, that it will fiood p over the point of reproduction, thereby rendering inaudible any surface or other mechanical and extraneous sounds incident to reproduction.

A still further object is to provide a tonearm mounting which will permit the tonearm to be svvung into and out of operative position Without the necessity for adjustment, detachment of parts, or,in fact, any operation other than the mere swinging of the arm from its operative to its inoperative position. In the operative playing position, the tone-arm is free to swing upon horizontal and vertical axes; and the permanent connection of the tone-arm to the sound-amplifier is suchthat. a continuously smooth and unbroken sound-passage is prof vided and maintained. In its inoperative position, the tone-arm i's compactly disposed in a recess of the Alid and is securely held therein against accidental displacement.

Another important feature consists in providing automatic safety means adapted to prevent closure of the lid While the parts are in operative position, so that there is no possibility of the reproducing parts or the record becoming damaged bythe accidental or inadvertent closure of the lid thereon.

rlfhe safety. means is such that, in order to close the lid, it is compulsory that the tonearm be placed in its inoperative position. In such position the lid may be freely closed Without impediment or damage. It is also an object to provide such a safety means which Will function as an automatic lid support.. v

Still another object is to provide receptacles for new and used needles, and cover means therefor which will automatically open and close them as the lid 1s raised and lowered. l

A further object is to provide a cabinet Aveniently stored, and which may be readily and will enable the motor to be conveniently exposed for adjustment or oiling when desired..

The device, as a whole, presents a highly attractive appearance -in both its operative and inoperative positionsthe outer surface in y the-latter position being entirely unbroken,

except for the division between the base, the lid, and the record compartment. The weights are so distributed that it will be most convenient for carrying; and all movable parts are effectively held against movement or rattling.

With the above and other objects in view, as may hereinafter appear, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, and this embodiment will now be more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention finally pointed ouftJ in claims.

In the drawingsf vFigure 1 is a perspective view showing the machine with the lid or cover raised and in operative position with the sound-controlling means open, the sound-reproducen being engaged vwith the record upon rthe turntable-this viewshowing the winding side of the cabinet with the Winding crank in place.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view with partsv broken away to show the construction and mounting of the sound-amplifier, the tonearm being disposed in its inoperative position, and the turn-table being removed for the-purpose of exposing the' motor-board and projecting parts therebeneath,-this view also showing the carrying side of the cabinet with the handle.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken lengthwise of the cabinet through the tonearin connection,-3-.3 of F ig. 5-and showing the same in its closed, inoperative position. f

'Fig 4 is a similar view, the base being partly in elevation, and showing, in full lines, the cover in its full raised position, and the tone-arm in its inoperativeposition and showing in vdotted lines the playing position of the tone-arm and the4 cover partially lowered, and in which partially lowered position the safety .device functions in the manner\also shown by dotted lines'.

Fig. 5-is a perspective view, showing the cabinet closed, and ready to be carried.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the soundamplifier horn detached from the cabinet` A Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 7 of Fig. 4 and showing the dust-cap for the Winding crank aperture, this figure showing the cap closed upon the aperture.

Fig. 8 is a similar view and showing the crank-handle Within the aperture, and the cap raised.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the closure cap.

. Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the cabinet comprises two parts,a base 10, and a cover 11 connected by a piano-hinge 12-the tone-arm and amplifying means being carried by the lid, while the motor and turn-table are carried by the base in a manner to be presently more fully described.\ At each corner of the cabinet, there are provided corner plates 13 adapted to reinforce the 4corner construction, and having bosses 14 thereon for supporting the flat surfaces of the cabinet out of contact swith the supporting surface. A handle 15 is secured to one side of the base of the cabinet, as shown, and at the front side, there is provided a hasp comprising a portion 16 secured to the base, and a cooperating portion 17 secured to the lid. The exterior surface of the cabinet is preferably provided with. a suitable protective covering 18 of leathergibre or other wear-resistive material. A lid-supporting member 19 is hingedly secured to the interior of the cover at 20, and is provided with an elongated slot 21, having a notched portion 22 (Fig. 4) at its lower end adapted to cooperate with a pin or projection 23 secured to the base in such manner that it will support the lid ina given raised position. The parts so far described constitute the cabinetv or container proper. While the several details described have been found desirable and preferable, it will be understood that these may be varied within wide range.

Within the base of the'cabinet and spaced from the upper edge thereof, there are provided at each end cleats 24 (Fig. 3),-upon which is supported a motor-board 25 detachably secured by screws 26. The motor 27, which may be of any suitable type, but

f preferably, of course, of light weight, is suspended from the motor-board and is secured to the under side by bolts 28. The start and stop lever 29 Figs. 1 and 2) extends through an opening 30 in the motoi-board, and at its end is disposed above a plate' 31 provided'with limiting stops 32, while the speed indicating lever 33 extends through an opening 34 of the motor-board, also in the position shown, and has its pointed end disposed above a scale-plate 35.

The turn-table shaft 36 projects upwardly through an opening 37 in the motor-board and supports the turn-table 38 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4). The upper surface of the turntable is preferably slightly above the upper edge of the base part 10. as indicated more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, the purpose of this being to permit the playing of a 12 record where the interior dimensions of the cabinet end, the opening 39 is adapted to be closed by a dust-cap 43 (Fig. 7) hingedly connected to a plate 44, and normally pressed into closed position by means of a. spring 45. The end of the dust-cap is curved away from the inner surface of the cabinet, as at 46, so that it will not catch with the threaded end of the crank-handle as it is withdrawn. It will be understood that the cap is forced into open position by the insertion of the crank-handle, that it does not interfere in any way with the turning -of the crank-handle, and automatically closes' upon withdrawingthe crank-handle. When not in use, the crank-handle is stored within the base, being inserted lthrough an aperture provided in the motor-board 25, and held against movement by means of a spring clip 47 provided upon an escutcheon plate 48 positioned in this openin A plurality of needlge-ho-lding cups 49 are inserted in openings 50 provided in the motor-board, these cups being flanged, as at 51 (Figs. 3 and 4) andat least one of them being flanged inwardly at its upper side, as at 52 this cup being for used needles. In order to retain the cups in place and to prevent spilling vof the needles therefrom, individual cover flaps 53 lare provided upon they lid or cover 11,- these flaps being formed integral with a strip 54 inserted beneath the pianohinge 12 and secured by some of the same screws that secure the hinge. The flaps are preferably fdrmed of spring metal and effectuallyclose the cups and retain them in position when the lid or cover 11 is closed,

` as shown in Fig.8.

Within the lid 1,1, there is secured a translversely disposed and inclined p-artition 55 spaced from the rear end of the lid, and so inclined that, inl the raised position of the y lid shown in Figs. 2 and \4,. it will be disposed horizontally.` At the upper side of this partition and within the lid, there is secured thesound-amplifying horn, and at the lower side and in communication therewith, there is supported the tone-arm and sound-box. The amplifying horn 56 is provided at its reduced or inlet end with a `flanged plate o-r equivalent structure 57, disposed `at the same inclination relative to the cover as the partition 55 and secured by screws 58 to an apertured block 59 surrounding the aperture 60 in the partition and disposed relatively near one side of the cover.

rlhe amplifying horn is flared at one side to a relatively small extent, as at 61, terminating in a line parallel with the inner edge of the side of the cabinet, and at its other side is fiared along an ogee curve to a relatively great extent, and terminating in a portion 62 disposed substantially parallel to the side of the lid and having its edgeparallel and adjacent the edge of the side of thelid. The rear wall 63 of the horn flares rearwardly and in a continuous curve forwardlyto the forward edge ofthe end of the lid, while the front wall is flared forwardly and terminates in parallel and spaced relation to tli\ edge of the rearwall, thereby providing an Y enlarged outlet opening for thehorn of rectangular shape and disposed in a plane parallel to the under side of the lid, and at an angle to the plane of the opening of more than ninetydegrees. horn proper,` as shown in Fig. 6, is prefer- (See'Fig. 6.) The ably constructed of sheet metal, although it may be constructed of wood or other material. lower end by lneans of the screws 58, it is also secured at its upper end alongv the side edges and top edge of the horn opening by screws 64, engaged with the sides and end of the lid. These screws may be of any suitable number lto secureA the proper rigidity of the horn.

A cover-board 65' is mounted over 'the horn below the horn opening, the lower edge of the board resting upon the partition 55, while the upper .edge is substantially in alignment with the lower edge of the horn opening. The cover-board rests at three corners upon cleats 66, and at its fourth corner upon the blockY 59, being secured by screws 67 provided at its corners and engaging respectively the block 59 and the lower cleat, and two tapped holes 68 (Fig. 6) provided in the front wall ofthe horn, so that by tightening upon these screws, the lower .edge ofthe horn opening is drawn into closecontact with the inner side of the `cover-board. A strip of felt 69 (Fig. 2) is interposed between the horn and the cover- Aboard. r

A pair of tone-leaves 70 and 71 is mounted over the horn opening, each being pivotally mounted along their horizontal central axes,

as at 72 and 73 (Figs. 3 and 4). The adja-l cent edges of the tone-leaves'are beveled In addition to being secured at its` llt) of, and is adapted in theclosed position of tained in place by engagementof the coverboard with its upper surface.

The tone-arm is supported upon the under side of the partition 55, and comprises a flanged tubular base 79 (Fig. 2), secured to the partition by screws 80 engaging the block 59, and in direct communication with the opening 60 of the partition; a right angle elbow tube 81 pivotal in the base; and a tapered tube or arm 82 pivotally mounted in the elbow 81 and having a right angle bend adjacent the elbow, and a right angle bend adjacent its outer reduced terminal `and to which terminal, the soundboX 83 is secured. This construction is such that the tone-arm is free to pivot upon both vertical `and horizontal axes, as shown in Fig. 1. In the inoperative position of the tone-arm, it is disposed within the compartment or space beneath the ,partition 55, and is securely held therein by means of a spring tongue 84, this tongue being secured to the top of the lid, and `|being bent to form a recessand a resilient curved guiding and retaining portion, enabling the tone-arm to be swung into operative position by merely pulling it from the recess. this movement is sufficient to depress the tongue. The' tone-arm is swung from operative to inoperative position in a similar manner, being forced over the tongue, which is thus depressed suliiciently to permit it to move into place.

The hornoutlet is so disposed, with relation to the turn-table, or point of reproduction, that the sounds emitted from the horn flood over the point of reproduction, thus rendering inaudible any surface or other mechanical and extraneous sounds incident to reproduction.

A protective strip 85, of leather, felt or c other suitable material, is secured about the recess at the point engaged by the soundbox, to protect the surfaces of the cabinet and sound-box, and to provide va slightly Vyielding seat for the sound-box.

In order to prevent the'accidental or inadvertent lowering of the lid, while the' tone-arm is inoperative position, and which, of course, would result'in possible damage to the sound-box an'd.record, a safety device is rovided, consisting of a linger 86 (Fig. 2)), pivotally-.conn'ected to a lug 87, secured to the` under side of the partition 55, and adapted to depend freely of its own weight in a vertical line in the raised position of the lid, and in the operative position of the tone-arm. Upon the motorboard 25, a small metal plate 88 is secured `in such position that lowering of the lid from its normally raised position,- when the to operate.

tomat-ic in operation, inasmuch as movement and portability.

tone-arm with its sound-box is swung into operative position, will cause the end of the finger to engage the plate, thereby preventing further lowering of the lid beyond 'a given point at which it is known that the mechanism will not be' damaged. This point is indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. l/Vhen the tone-arm is moved to inoperative position, however,"it automatically moves the'linger with it into the recess, and supports it in such position that it will not impede the lowering of the lid. This position is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. f

The prop 86 isv such that it can \be' employed as a lid support, instead of the support 19, and in such case, it will be of a length suitable to support the lid in its full, open position to permit the tone-arm This typelof lid-support is auof the tone-arm into its operative position will allow the prop to -fall by gravity into its lid-supporting position, while movement of the tone-arm into its inoperative position within the recess of the lid-.after first slightly raising the lid to release .the end of the prop from the lug 89-moves the prop into inoperative position to fpermit lowering of the lid. The force of A flange 89, along the rear edge of the plate 88, (Figs. 2 and 4), prevents the finger from slipping olf the plate and thereby allowing the lid to be lowered. The pivot point of the finger, being slightly forward of its reduced end, causes the pressure of the lid to pivotally move the finger rearwardly against the flange 89 upon engagement with the plate 88.

The lower portion of the base of the cabinet is, in the present embodiment, in the form of a record compartment 90, hingedly connected to the rear edge of the base at one end, as at 91, (Figs. 3 and 4), and adapted to be fastened at its other end by means of a hasp 92. 4

A record album or container 93, adapted to receive a plurality of records,-`-say, 6 to 12-is provided in the compartment 90.

. The present linvention provides a portable phonograph, which is most convenient to carry, and at the same time will be highly eliicient as a sound-reproducing instrument, ossessing all of the essential characteristics necessary and desirable to perfect soundreproduction. Without sacrificing any of these essential characteristics, the variouspartsof the machine are so designed that they may be compactly arrangede to facilitate carrying,;and .this without the necessitylof assembling any of the parts when itis desired to play the'machine. Its novel features represent improvements, both from the standpoint of sound-reproduction izo 'constitute any departure therefrom, as defined in the appended claims.

Having described the mvention, what is claimed is ing 1. In a phonograph, a cabinet comprising a base and a lid, a sound-reproducing means and means movable, into operative and inoperative positions by the sound-reproducing means to prevent closure of the lid while the sound-reproducing means is in operative' position.

2. In a phonograph, a cabinet ccpmprising a base and alid, sound-reproducing means adapted to be placed in operative and inoperative positions, and means to prevent closure of the lid .While the sound-reproducing means is in operative position, ysaid means being# rendered ino erative by the placing of the sound-repro ucingmeans in inoperative position.

3. In a phonograph,`va cabinet comprising a base and a lid, a support for the lid, sound-reproducing, means, means mounting the sound-reproducing means for movement to operative and inoperative positions, and a hinged member depending from the lid and adapted to prevent closing of the lid only during the time the sound-reproducing means is in operative position.y

il. In a phonograph, a cabinet comprisa base and a lid, sound-reproducing means, means mounting` the sound-reproducing means for movement to operative and inoperative positions, and a hinged member depending from the lid and adapted to prevent closing of the lid in the operative position of the sound-reproducing means, and adapted to be so moved by the placing of the sound-reproducing means in inoperative position as to permit the lid to be closed.:

5. In a phonograph,'a cabinet comprising a base and a lid, a. support orthe lid, sound-reproducing means, means mounting the sound-reproducing means for movementJ to operative and inoperative positions, and a hinged member depending from the lid in its open position, and in the operative position of the sound-reproducing means,V

and adapted'to prevent closing of the lid While the sound-reproducing means is in said operative position.

6. In a phonograph, a cabinet comprising tone-arm compartment provided in the lid,

a, tone-arm pivotally mounted within said compartment so as to be movable into and.

out of said compartment into inoperative and operative positions, means adapted to prevent closing ot the lid-whenl the tonearm is moved out of said compartment into operative position, and adapted to permit lowering of the lid when the tone-arm'is moved into the compartment.

' 7. In a phonograph, a cabinet comprising a base and a lid, a lsupport for the lid, sound-reproducing means,fmeans mounting the sound-reproducing means for movement to operativeI and inoperative positions, a hinged member depending from the lid in the operative position of the sound-reproducing means, and an abutment on the base adapted to be engaged by the hinged member to prevent collapse of the latter, said hinged member, preventing closing of the lid in the operative position vof the soundreproducing means. ,y

8. In a phonograph, a cabinet comprising a base and a lid, a hinged member depending from the lid in the operative position of the sound-reproducing means, the loWei1 end of the member being disposed in offset relation to the pivotal aXis whereby down- Ward pressure of the lid tends to move the member about its pivot, and an labutment on the basevvhich isV engaged by the end of said hinged member to prevent collapse thereof.

9. In a phonograph, a cabinet comprising a base and a hinged lid, means Jfor supporting the hinged lid in an inclined open `position, a partition diagonally disposed in said lid and having an opening therethrough, and

being adapted to assume a horizontal positable, sound-reproducing means, said lid having anopening at its inner side adapted to be engaged by said centering pin when the lid is in closed position.

11. In combination with a phonograph having a tone-arm connected to. a lid, a lidsupport comprising a prop member hinged to the lid and adapted to beheld in inoperative position when the tone-arm is swung;- within the lid, and to drop by gravity to ,operative position when the tone-arm is in operative position.

12. In a phonograph, a base, a lid, an amplifier movable With the lid, a tone-arm mountedjon'the base and adapted to occupy a lidsupport means automatically moved to an inoperative position within the. lid, a operative and inoperative positions as the 10 prop means carried by the lid and held in tone-arm is moved to operative and inoperinoperative position when the tone-arm is inA ative positions respectively y inoperative position, and the prop means Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of pivoted so as to move into operative position Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, this 7th when the tone-arm is in operative position. day of April, A. D. 1922.

13. In combination, a lid, a-tone-arm, and F RANK C. HINCKLEY. 

